Tesla racks up $40 million in Model X reservations

Last week Tesla unveiled its third all-electric vehicle. Dubbed Model X, the coolest part of the SUV's design, at least in my opinion, is the slick gull-wing doors on the rear of the vehicle.

The doors require less space to open than conventional doors, while offering enough head room for an adult to stand underneath them.

Unsurprisingly, Tesla has already begun allowing auto enthusiasts to pre-order the car. Of course, if you're like me, you probably didn't think all that many people would be interested in snapping up a vehicle that hadn't even gone into production yet and costs a whopping $70,000.

Nevertheless, The Detroit News reports Tesla has already racked up an impressive $40 million in Model X reservations.

"On Thursday evening, the night of the reveal, traffic to teslamotors.com increased 2,800 percent," the auto manufacturer said in an official statement. "Two-thirds of all visitors were new to the website."

Interestingly enough, Tesla also confirmed that its Model S sedan reservations had increased by approximately 30% following the debut of the new Model X. As you may recall, the Model X SUV is built on the same platform as the Model S - albeit with a longer wheelbase. The vehicle features an all-wheel-drive, seats seven people and will be available with a 60 or 85 kWh battery. Tesla is known for making attractive and speedy electric vehicles, and the Model X continues that tradition with the ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.

Model X production isn't expected to kick off until the end of 2013. Once the vehicle goes into production Tesla hopes to produce as many as 15,000 Model X SUVs each year. With the price of an SUV said to be up to $70,000 per unit, the vehicle is far from an economy car, although Tesla insists the price will be competitive with other premium SUVs.